Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-07-30

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The various Homes that have since
been established, are vastly more
worthy Of study than this Central
Home, where an immense amount of
money was wasted for the want of
knowledge drawn from experience.
We have here some $50 acres, and
would be better off with less than
half.
Twenty thousand dollars was do
mated by the citizens, to purchase the
location, without water, which it has
cost us more than double that amount
to obtain; so that what was then done
should be avoided now.
We accommodate over $500 men,
bers in the crowded season of the year,
but it is not the policy of the Board
that any such number should again
be congregated in the same place.
AS before suggested a trip to San
Francisco to meet Captain Blanding
would be of infinitely more value than
to talk about this central branch.
Very respectfully,
(signedj NJ. Il. PATRICK,
Governor.
Northwestern Branch, National Home
for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers,
General Jacob Sharpe, Governor.
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
Wisconsin, July 21, 1887.
Il. N. Laurence, Esq, Secretary Board
Of Trade, Los angeles, Cal.
DEAR SIR Your letter of the 14th
instant is at hand, and below you will
find the questions answered in the
order therein:
First-The land was purchased by a
fair managed by the ladies of Milwau-
kee, and cost about 100000.
Second-Four hundred acres.
Third-About half for farming pur-
poses; there is no rough land.
Fourth-The Chicago, Milwaukee
and st. Paul Railroad has a station
on, and runs through, the home
grounds.
Fifth-Capacity of 1900 inmates. 1t
contains 1850.
Sixth-Nearly all money appropri-
ated.
Seventh-There are four barrack
buildings, building containing a
theater and home store, a hospital
with a capacity of about $50, and sew
eral smaller buildings. l cannot tell
what the cost of the buildings amount
to.
send herewith photograph al
bum, which will give you some idea
of the buildings and grounds. Yours
truly, [Signedl; j. SHARPE,
Governor.
Western Branch, National Home for
Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Col.
Andrew j. Smith, Governor. p. o.
address, National Military Home,
Leavenworth county, KS. Leaven-
worth, KS, July %, 1887.
A. NJ. Laurence, Esq, Secretary Board
of Trade, Los angeles, Cal:
DEAR SIR: l am in receipt of your
letter of 18th inst, and in reply would
say that the land upon which this
Branch Home is located (640 acres)
was purchased by the city of Leaven-
worth at cost of $72 900, and donated
to the government. In addition, the
city also donated $50 900, in payments
of $4,000 per year, semi-annually,
without interest, for establishment of
grounds.
At present some 80 acres are used
in farming and fruits; and like num-
Der of acres in ornamentation. About
800 acres are what would be termed
trough land," heavily timbered, and
admirably adapted to the comfort and
convenience of the members.
Two railroads run through the
grounds on the west, and one on the
east side. The Missouri river alsc
borders the east side, giving us al
ample and inexhaustable supply O
good water.
Our membership to-day is 1887
which number is being increased
almost daily, by the arrival of appli-
cants for admission.
The amount expended for the sup
port of the Home, about 5000, ,00O
per annum, based upon mem
bership of 1900, is paid out to
those making the lowest bids for sup
plies; Leavenworth, other things be-
ing equal, having the preference in
addition large sums are paid out on
pension and payroll, the greater part
of which finds its way to the adjoining
city. (No part of a pensioners money
is retained by the Home, and they
are free to spend it as they choose.)
The barrack buildings, twelve in
number, are constructed of brick,
with stone foundations and trimmings.
The enclosed photographs will give
you a good idea of their appearance
they were built by contract at cost
OF $12 800 each, and are models of their
kind.
The contractor, Mr.. J. "A. Me-
Gonigle, being a citizen of Leaven-
worth, the large sums expended for
building, was necessarily of much
benefit to mechanics and laborers OF
that city.
Our main dining hall, costing $46,-
900, has capacity for seating 1000 at
one time, and is grand structure.
All the buildings are heated with
steam and supplied with hot water
from the boiler-house.
A perfect systum of sewerage con-
meets with every building and extends
to the river.
A new hospital, to cost 800 ,OOO' is
now in course of construction and
when finished will accommodate 400
patients. Handsome residence build
ings have been erected during the past
year for the governor, the treasurer
and the surgeon. All the buildings
are lighted by gas furnished from
Leavenworth.
mail you to-day a copy OF the an
nual report of the board of managers
for the year ending June 80, 1886,
which may give you some useful data.
If | can be of further service please
advise me.
The board of managers will not
likely visit California before Novem-
ber.